We blog about career trends, the future job market, and higher education in Minnesota.

Month: February 2014

A blog last month looked at the issue of Minnesota’s minimum wage. As the Minnesota Legislature resumed session this month, there has been continued discussion on increasing the state’s minimum wage. This raises the question: How many jobs, in which regions, and in which occupations, would be affected if there were a substantial increase in the state minimum wage? To find the answer, we take the higher minimum wage level of the House bill (HF0092), $9.50 an hour for large employers, and estimate how many jobs would see wages increase to meet the new level.

Minnesota’s high labor force participation – or the percent of the population working or looking for a job – is a key factor in future job growth. It’s also a measure of worker availability, which can fluctuate as youth enter the labor force for the first time, job seekers stop looking for work, or workers retire and exit the labor market entirely. In December 2013, the state’s labor force participation rate stood at 70.1 percent.

Real estate agents say that a house feels more like a home when there is furniture in it, making it easier to sell. Central Minnesota is home to more than one-fourth of the state’s employment in furniture and related product manufacturing, including one-third of the state’s jobs in kitchen cabinet manufacturing.

Whether you’re a student, job seeker, or just someone thinking about your career direction, there’s a new resource for you. Visit the Career Exploration and Student Success Toolkit to learn more about yourself and find careers that are a good fit for your skills and interests.